On Trend | House Plants!

image: via design love fest, by laure joliet

One trend that I'm currently digging: House Plants!!

I've always wanted a garden, and now that I live in an apartment that's a little out of reach.
But you gotta have some green somewhere! I do have a pot or two of succulents on the balcony and of course you could always make a little terrarium, but nothing beats a lovely big, green plant!

You've probably seen pics floating around the internet from Design Love Fest's living room makeover—hard to miss, they're just so beautiful with all that natural light and those plants! And I just stumbled onto another gorgeous living room makeover with the same two elements (natural light & plants) from A Beautiful Mess.

Not only do house plants help to clear pollutants in the air, they provide a place of rest—both visual and physical.

Here's some plants I wouldn't mind finding in my house!

Stay tuned for some planter options, including a fun DIY!

Also, don't forget to enter my Mother's Day Giveaway!

Helpful Herbs | Parsley

I've been procrastinating on writing this post for ages... One of the things that sparked the change up of Tinker Finca was a book that I found on herbs.  Reading through all the different uses for common herbs was really interesting to me. I come from Polish heritage and have always been exposed to herbal remedies and interesting uses for various plants (I'm sure this isn't just a Polish thing).  I guess I just find it kind of sad that a lot of people now days just rely on 'artificial' medicine and don't know the healing properties that many plants & herbs have. So... after a little research, I present you with a series on interesting uses for common herbs.

Varieties

• Italian / Flat leaf - a lot of flavour and retains its flavour in cooking quite well.
• Curly leaf - milder flavour and should be added toward the end of cooking or as a garnish

Growing Tips

• Grows best in full sun (as with most herbs) but it can tolerate part shade.
• Likes to be watered regularly and will grow well in a pot.
• Pick regularly to encourage thicker growth but remember to leave some growth on the plant.
• Lasts 1 to 2 years - once it goes to seed you should replace the plant (if it is in a pot)

Storing

• You can dry parsley but it doesn't keep its flavour very well
• Can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days - place stems in water and a plastic bag over the leaves, replace water daily 

Medicinal Use

• Stimulates hair growth
• Helps balance oily hair
• Helps with dandruff
• Great for clarifying brunette hair
• Great to freshen breath - chew after meal

To use as a hair treatment - Purée a large handful of parsley with 2 tablespoons of water. Apply to hair, wrap with cling wrap and towel and let sit for 1 hour. Rinse.

OR Combine 1/4 cup parsley with 1 cup boiling water and steep for 1 hour. Follow previous instructions.

Disclaimer:Please note that I am not a health care professional and all the information I am providing is a guide only. Please consult with your doctor if you are unsure about anything especially if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions.

Making a Terrarium

I'm so excited to share with you guys my first video tutorial! Hopefully this is the first of many to come!

A special thanks to Mr Peck for shooting this, you're super dooper amazing... 

So how about it, want to know how to make a terrarium? 

(you know, those cute glass house type things which I may or may not have thought were called terraniums)

video by Peck Flamenco

music by Gillicuddy - "Jupiter the blue" 

Puppy Love

Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen?! My mum's dog had puppies. .. Puppies are the best! Not even opening their eyes yet.. Awwwww!